Thursday, December 29, 2011

Our Christmas Day Dog Rescue

Maybe you'll think I'm nuts after reading today's post. I looked back on it later and remembered tearing up after Christmas lunch when the TV at my inlaws' house ran that SPCA commercial with the mournful animals. I've always had a soft spot for strays, and have gone out of my way several times to bring an animal home: climbing over interstate guardrails or fences for kittens, and two Springs ago when we brought Penny home from the SPCA as my very unconventional Mother's Day gift.

Penny passed away over the summer, and I've been missing having a little furry thing to snuggle with. Our Pomeranian, Emma, is not much of a snuggler, though she'll make the effort if you have food. So when a family friend walked up my inlaws' drive on Christmas night, carrying a tiny bundle of fur that he found on the side of the highway, my heart skipped a beat.

Someone apparently dumped this tiny Yorkie on the side of the road. She was filthy, underfed, and freezing. T knew better than to argue much with me when I said we were bringing her home. After searching the papers, Craigslist, with neighbors, and having the vet do a microchip scan, it looks like her new owners are us! She's a full-grown Yorkshire Terrier (around 4 years old), and weighs in at just over 3 and 3/4 pounds.

We named her Annie (Little Orphan Annie), and she is slightly obsessed with me. I'm not sure if this is a Yorkie thing or an attention-deprived thing or what, but she has become my little shadow. We're working on house breaking her, and it is slow going. Little dogs are hard to train, and she isn't particularly interested...but I'm being as patient as I can. She's getting some good food, had a nice bath, and seems to enjoy wearing one of our old dachshund's sweaters.

We had such a wonderful Christmas that I never expected God to send a dog down my inlaws' driveway. To me, it seemed like an added little bonus to the day. T might say otherwise, but I catch him petting her when I'm not looking. The girls, of course, are thrilled.

35 comments:

What a cutie! Strays just tug at my heart strings since 3 of my 4 staff members were literally picked up off the side of the road! It seems that they love and appreciate you so much! Happy New Year to you and your sweet family, including little Annie!...hugs...Debbie

Oh Amanda, what a beautiful story! I love yorkies and have also rescued 2 dogs in the past (not yorkies, boxers) isn't it the best feeling! What a great lesson for your daughter also about animals in need. High5 for you :)

What an absolutely darling puppy! She is so lucky to have found you :-). I know what you mean about housebreaking small dogs...we have two Bichons, and it was NOT a fun experience. But it's over and they're good as gold now. We used the bell training method btw.- So tickled for your bonus Christmas present!

What a cutie! We are getting a new dog today...and it was not on my list of things to do for this week:) The boys have been begging for a pet and a friend of my mom had some cute half dachshund half beagle puppies she is giving away.

This story warms my heart! What a wonderful Christmas gift (and story)! Our pup is a former shelter dog and I've rescued my fair amount of strays. Going as far as pulling over on the side of the road and putting a dog in my car-- 3 times, 3 different dogs. Wishing you and your family plenty of happiness in 2012!

Hi...I'm Ashley and a new follower to your blog, thanks to Veronica over at Life in The Thrifty Lane. The first post I read was your recent one about your Yorkie rescue pup! Let me start by saying that I'm a proud mama to a 4 year old (just turned 4 November 27th) female pure-bred Yorkie named Izzy. She's 2.7 pounds and has been my very best friend in the whole entire world. Secondly, who in their right mind would abandon a yorkie? To abandon any animal should be a crime, but after owning and loving a Yorkie...yeah...I can't imagine abandoning her!

Your little Annie is precious. She will be your forever pup. Her following you around so much isn't necessarily from her recent lack of attention. Yorkie's are very needy and crave TONS of attention, especially from their master. If she has identified you as her master, then you are in for a treat. While it's not in their nature to be "mean", yorkies are very territorial...especially with their "person"/master/whatever you want to call it. My husband can't even sit beside me without my Izzy "coming to my rescue". It's very cute, but can be annoying. Hopefully your Annie is already house-trained, if not, you are in for a treat. Most yorkies are VERY STUBBORN...and not just with potty training...they are that way about everything. They tend to be extremely smart, but the stubbornness kicks in overdrive when you are trying to train them with tricks and such.

I apologize for the ramble. I'm just crazy in love with Yorkies and, while I don't know you, I'm so excited for you and your Annie!

AMANDA!! I've been out of town and without internet access since 12/27, so I just now read about your new baby. I swear I thought your "teaser" photo was of a PUPPY! I can't believe Annie is so tiny, yet she's full-grown. What a wonderful thing for her to be picked up by a friend of your in-laws! And what a great Christmas gift for you! I'm sorry that I don't remember that Penny died--did you post about that? 2011 is kind of a blur for me in so many ways; please forgive me for not remembering. But what a darling new addition to your family! I hope Annie will have many happy years with you and your family.

It seems unbelievable to say good-bye to 2011, but I guess that's where we are. WOW! What a year!

As much as I say that I am NEVER getting a dog, I would have brought her home too. How sad that someone just left her. I'm so glad that God sent her to you guys. :)

And also, I read your Christmas post. It looks like you all had a wonderful day. I loved all the pictures. You all looked wonderful. And if you don't mind me saying so, I didn't realize your husband was such a hottie. ;)

This is Me

I'm a stay-at-home mom of three kids, a fluffy Pomeranian, and a rambunctious German Shepherd puppy. Happily married to T. We live in Virginia, but I secretly dream of what it would be like to have a place in NYC to escape to for random girls' shopping weekends. Target is my home away from home. I stay sane by doing creative projects around my home and taking lots of pictures. Stick around for realistic inspiration...on a budget!

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